A novel nanostructured spinel ZnCo2O4 electrode material: morphology conserved transformation from a hexagonal shaped nanodisk precursor and application in lithium ion batteries

In this paper, we report a successful synthesis of porous ZnCo2O4 nanoflakes by a morphology-conserved and pyrolysis-induced transformation of novel hexagonally shaped, highly ordered, and inorganic–organic–inorganic layered hybrid nanodisks. It is shown that the hexagonal hybrid nanodisks are constructed from organic molecule (ethylene glycol)-directed assembly of inorganic bilayers. The assembly mechanism has been established by a number of structural and spectroscopic techniques. The porous ZnCo2O4 nanoflakes have also been tested as a lithium ion battery electrode, showing high capacity and high cyclability.